Question 3: Short-term Objective H

$1,527,866.00
Fiscal Year: 2010

New!3SH. Support at least three studies of special populations or use existing databases to inform our understanding of environmental risk factors for ASD in pregnancy and the early postnatal period by 2012. Such studies could include:
o Comparisons of populations differing in geography, gender, ethnic background, exposure history (e.g., prematurity, maternal infection, nutritional deficiencies, toxins), and migration patterns; and
o Comparisons of phenotype (e.g., cytokine profiles), in children with and without a history of autistic regression, adverse events following immunization (such as fever and seizures), and mitochondrial impairment. These studies may also include comparisons of phenotype between children with regressive ASD and their siblings.
oEmphasis on environmental factors that influence prenatal and early postnatal development is particularly of high priority. Epidemiological studies should pay special attention to include racially and ethnically diverse populations. IACC Recommended Budget: $12,000,000 over 5 years.

Objective Cumulative Funding Table

IACC Strategic Plan Objective

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Total

Support at least three studies of special populations or use existing databases to inform our understanding of environmental risk factors for ASD in pregnancy and the early postnatal period by 2012. Such studies could include:

Comparisons of phenotype (e.g., cytokine profiles), in children with and without a history of autistic regression, adverse events following immunization (such as fever and seizures), and mitochondrial impairment. These studies may also include comparisons of phenotype between children with regressive ASD and their siblings.

Emphasis on environmental factors that influence prenatal and early postnatal development is particularly of high priority. Epidemiological studies should pay special attention to include racially and ethnically diverse populations.

3.S.H. Funding: The recommended budget was partially met, and is approaching the recommended budget.

Progress: The funded projects cover the objective well; there are 32 projects that are related to this objective, though more projects focus on use of databases than on special populations. A positive element of progress for this objective is the existence of large monitoring databases and projects that capitalize on those resources, such as iCARE and MINERvA.

Remaining Gaps, Needs, and Opportunities: While progress is being made in this area, and it must be maintained in order to achieve this objective.